Storage module with stacking and unstacking functions

Abstract

A storage module ( 1 ) comprises a storage zone ( 3 ) for storing flat articles ( 2 ) by accumulation in a stack and on edge, a main conveyor ( 9 ) that extends transversely to the storage zone, a stacking function for transferring an article from the main conveyor to the storage zone and for stacking it at the back of the stack of articles in the storage zone, and an unstacking function for extracting an article from the stack of articles and for transferring it to the main conveyor. The unstacking function comprises an unstacking plate ( 7 ) having a perforated belt and controlled suction and disposed between the main conveyor and the storage zone, said unstacking plate having a first segment parallel to the stack of articles and a second segment that is adjacent to the first segment and that extends slantwise relative to the first segment, said controlled suction being disposed in the slantwise second segment of the unstacking plate.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A storage module comprising a storage zone for storing flat articles by accumulation in a stack and on edge, a main conveyor that extends transversely to the storage zone, a secondary conveyor for transferring an article from the main conveyor to the storage zone and for stacking the article at the back of the stack of articles in the storage zone, and an unstacking plate for extracting an article from the back of the stack of articles and for transferring the article to the main conveyor, wherein the unstacking plate comprises a perforated belt and controlled suction, said unstacking plate being disposed between the main conveyor and the storage zone, said unstacking plate having a first segment parallel to the stack of articles and a second segment that is adjacent to the first segment and that extends slantwise relative to the first segment, said controlled suction being disposed in the slantwise second segment of the unstacking plate. 
     
     
       2. A storage module according to  claim 1 , wherein the second slantwise segment of the unstacking plate forms an angle lying in the range 3° to 15° relative to the top of the stack of articles. 
     
     
       3. A storage module according to  claim 1 , wherein said first and second unstacking plate segments join each other in the vicinity of a middle longitudinal axis of the stack of articles. 
     
     
       4. A storage module according to  claim 1 , wherein the unstacking plate comprises a moving barrier suitable for being moved into a first position for preventing any article from being extracted from the stack of articles, and into a second position for allowing an article to be extracted from the stack of articles, and wherein said moving barrier is pivotally mounted to push back into the storage zone any article that has been partially extracted from the stack of articles when the barrier is pivoted to go from the second position to the first position. 
     
     
       5. A postal sorting machine comprising a storage module according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       6. A postal sorting machine according to  claim 5 , wherein the storage module is adapted to store mail stack separators in a stack and on edge. 
     
     
       7. A postal sorting machine according to  claim 6 , comprising a sorting conveyor extending along sorting outlets of the machine, said sorting conveyor constituting the main conveyor of the storage module. 
     
     
       8. A postal sorting machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the separators are made of flexible cardboard.